Mental Health Support
Wildfires can significantly impact mental health both before, during, and after the event, leading to a range of emotional and psychological distress. These mental health impacts can persist for months or even years, highlighting the importance of addressing both immediate and long-term needs. Before the Fire: Anticipatory anxiety and fear: The threat of wildfires can […]
Irrigation and Preserving Water Rights
In Washington State, wildfires can significantly impact water resources and the way water rights are managed, particularly for irrigation purposes. Wildfires leave behind burned vegetation and ash, which can be washed into rivers, streams, and other water sources during rainfall. This can impact gravity flow irrigation systems particularly. Wildfires often coincide with, or are, exacerbated […]
Landscaping
Loss of vegetation leaves land vulnerable to increased runoff, erosion, and sedimentation. It also increases weed spread and growth, degrades habitat, and impairs forest regeneration. The GREEN AGAIN campaign was started as part of a series of Fire Strong Workshops in Eastern Washington. Local community members partnered up with the Arbor Day Foundation, local Master […]
Saving Infrastructure
It is important post-fire to locate and protect the septic, water, and electrical connections. Often times, debris is left on site for a considerable time. During clean up, or the following winter after a fire, infrastructure connections can be damaged. Locating these key infrastructure connections can save homeowners thousands of dollars in repair and replacement. […]
Donation Management
Donations are always a challenge for communities that suffer significant fire events. Many donations are unsolicited and hard to manage. Effective disaster donations management prioritizes cash donations to reputable organizations that can quickly and efficiently distribute aid based on the specific needs of the affected community. In-kind donations, while well-intentioned, can create logistical challenges if […]
Volunteers
Harnessing volunteers following large wildfires is one of the greatest recovery tools a community can give to those impacted by wildfire. During the recovery and rebuilding from the devastating wildfires from 2014 through 2020 in Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Okanogan, and Stevens Counties, the Okanogan County Long Term Recovery Group hosted hundreds of volunteers who worked […]
Rebuilding Homes
The Rebuild Program of the Okanogan County Long Term Recovery was in full operation for a decade, starting Spring 2015. The program replaced dozens of homes with 100% donated funds, volunteers, and partnership grants and donations. No government funding or government grants were available. 100% of the clients that fit the criteria for the Rebuild […]
Post-Fire Debris Removal
Debris removal involves a multi-faceted process to safely remove and dispose of hazardous materials and debris from burned properties. This process typically includes assessment, removal of household hazardous waste, and then the removal of remaining debris and contaminated soil. The process often involves both government-managed and private contractor options. Debris removal is expensive and time […]
Insurance After the Fire
When dealing with insurance after a wildfire, there are several key things to know to ensure a smoother claims process and support your recovery: Contact your insurer immediately and understand your coverage: Promptly notify your insurance provider about the wildfire damage to initiate the claim process. Review your policy details to understand your coverage limits, […]
System Redundancy
System redundancy is a strategy to prevent single points of failure by providing backup components or systems that can take over if the primary ones fail. This ensures continued operation even when a critical part of the system malfunctions. Redundancy can be achieved through various methods, including duplicated hardware, software, and even personnel training. Redundancy in […]